The good news: Sir David Attenborough, the natural history broadcasting legend, is set to unveil his latest series, “Wild Isles,” on BBC this Sunday, March 12. The bad news: The series is rumored to be his last-ever on-location role.
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If you don’t know Attenborough by name, you’re probably familiar with his voice. The narrator of classics like Planet Earth, Life on Earth, and The Blue Planet, his enthusiastic English lilt has become pretty much synonymous with nature documentaries over the course of his career.
Attenborough first got his start as a BBC producer and presenter in the 1950s after serving in the Royal Navy during WWII, then spent the last seven decades creating groundbreaking television series and conservation documentaries. His work has won him a plethora of awards, from Emmys to literal knighthood. It’s also made him beloved of nature fans worldwide.
While Attenborough has reported from a number of remote locations, from the rugged Caucasus Mountains to the glaciers of Antarctica, Wild Isles will be the first time he showcases the natural wonders of his home turf. The series is set to explore Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England, where Attenborough now lives. In an official statement, he shared his excitement for the series (We recommend reading aloud in your best Attenborough voice):
“In my long lifetime, I have traveled to almost every corner of our planet. I can assure you that in the British Isles, as well as astonishing scenery, there are extraordinary animal dramas and wildlife spectacles to match anything I have seen on my global travels,” he said.
Co-produced with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and The Open University, Wild Isles encompasses a whopping 1,631 days of filming everything from wild salmon to migrating geese.
Aside from being incredibly entertaining, the series could also act as a critical catalyst for change for UK and Irish residents.
“The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world — we need to change that,” Tanya Steele, chief executive of WWF, said in a statement.
Join us in celebrating Sir David Attenborough on his last hurrah this Sunday. Wild Isles promises to showcase everything we’ve come to love about him: a calm presence, a playful tone, and a seriousness about protecting this planet. Wild Isles can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.
